February sapper mag:Layout 1 21/1/09 16:16 Page 30
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6 Armd Engr Sqn, based in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Delhi, is supporting
the QDG Battle Group in Helmand province. An average day will see the duty
sapper up at 0600hrs to light the ‘Puffing Billy’ and prepare the water point for its first use.
As Sappers, we’re responsible for providing drinking and washing water every day of the
week. This week it’s the turn of Spr O'Brien to run the point; he's a brickie and a class three
combat engineer. Before now he had only a very basic understanding of how the ‘Small
Groups’ worked. By the end of the week he will be passing on his knowledge to Spr
‘Bungle’ Jewell for his stint - if we can get him out of his tractor! By 0730hrs the Troop is
ready to start work. The day-to-day work here revolves around providing force support to the
Battle Group. So far we have spent most of the time improving the FOB. We have built: a
Shura area; a roof for Battle Group Main; some toilets; and temporary accommodation for
when the next Battle Group arrives. Between that there have been some wiring tasks (both
razor and electrical!), combat logistic patrols, deliberate operations and the day to day run-
ning of the FOB. All in just a few weeks!
Resources are mostly sourced from Pakistan and have to be brought to the AO by way of
‘Jingly’ (Afghan) road moves before being deposited at FOB Dwyer. They are then account-
ed for, packed onto a military convoy and moved under heavy escort down to us. The whole
process can take weeks to complete and when they arrive the materials are often far below
the standard we would normally use. I suppose that we should be thankful that ‘banana
wood’ and ‘cardboard ply’ are the worst of our worries (if you don't count the odd Improvised
Explosive Device)! Winterization, under the title of Op Bam, is a major task and one which
is constantly evolving. The Battle Group Engineer, Capt Nick Piper, plans which buildings
need winterizing and 1 Tp get to it. Laying aggregate to avoid mud in the rain, improve blast
walls for the accommodation and ensuring washing areas are enclosed for the expected -
10
o
C! Our Plant operators and FL12 drivers are very busy, at least Spr ‘Biscuits’ Brown gets
to have a seat while he works!! Due to the limited amount of space in the FOB tasks have to
be planned very carefully and SSgt ‘Abby’ Cheetham is all over it!
Work usually finishes around 1800hrs with the failing light and people move back to our
living area to chill out, wash clothes and use the gym. Every now and then someone will
have to be dispatched to restart the battlefield hygiene units or relight the ‘puffing billy’. If
there is a stores run in from Dwyer, a convoy from Bastion, or if we are sending a convoy
down to the patrol bases then we will spend a lot of time reconfiguring loads with our plant.
This happens every 2-3 days.
After orders there is time for a game of risk or a couple of hands of Euchre before bed and
the start of another day! Well that’s it from the Sappers at Delhi, thanks for all the support
and parcels from back home.
Providing Force Sup
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